Episode 2:The interview, success in the interview

The Next Morning

In Bella's Office

Bella was sitting on her chair behind the desk, browsing her phone and watching funny clips, which made her chuckle quietly.

Minutes passed slowly as she waited for that young man to arrive. She had given instructions to everyone, including Amélie, to allow him in as soon as he arrived.

A young man in the prime of his youth, with blond hair and blue eyes, tall in stature, but what stood out the most—at least from Bella's point of view—was his kind personality and spontaneous nature.

Suddenly, the office door burst open, but the one who entered wasn't the expected young man—it was Amélie, and her facial expression was unusually cold.

Amélie entered with confident steps, her eyes scanning the place quickly before settling on Bella, who was still holding her phone in her hands.

Bella calmly lowered the phone and looked at her friend with surprise before saying in a playful tone:

"I thought the expected young man would be the one to walk in, not you."

Amélie replied in a serious tone:

"The young man has arrived."

Bella said excitedly:

"Good, let him in, please."

Amélie sighed at Bella's childishness, then left the office and closed the door behind her. Bella placed her phone on the desk and began thinking about how she should sit to welcome the guest.

She placed her finger near her chin as if thinking seriously, then whispered to herself:

"How should I sit? Hmmm..."

She crossed one leg over the other and looked at the door, but she didn't feel the pose was suitable, so she began thinking again:

"No... this gives the impression I've been waiting for him all along. Okay, I'll sit like this."

She leaned slightly forward, placed her elbows on the desk, and clasped her hands near her mouth while staring at the door. But she grumbled:

"Mmm, this pose is exaggerated... What if I sit like villains? Turn my back to the client and pretend to be powerful? Yes, yes... excellent idea!"

She turned her chair to face the office window, while the back of the chair now faced the door. Then she smiled with satisfaction and whispered to herself:

"Yes, this is a very excellent pose."

Moments later, the sound of a soft knock echoed on the office door—three consecutive taps.

Bella said calmly and confidently:

"Come in."

The door opened, and the awaited guest walked in. It was him... the very same young man she had described.

His blond hair, his blue eyes, and a smile that never left his face. He looked even more radiant in reality than she had imagined.

He smiled kindly and said:

"Good morning, I'm Lucien... Did I come at the right time?"

Bella paused for a moment, her back still to the door, but she felt his smile without seeing it, as if his presence carried a light and comforting energy.

She slowly turned her chair and looked at him steadily, trying to maintain her composure and poise, even though part of her wanted to laugh at her own pretense.

She spoke in an official yet gentle tone:

"Yes, you came at just the right time, Mr. Lucien. Please, have a seat."

He stepped forward confidently toward the chair opposite her and sat down, placing his file on the table in front of him, but he didn't stop smiling.

Bella, trying to appear stern, clasped her hands and asked him:

"Tell me, why do you think you're qualified to work in our company?"

Lucien gave a slight smile, as if the question didn't scare him the way she expected, then said in a calm tone:

"Because I'm looking for a real opportunity, and I believe this company has an environment where a person can grow... I also really appreciate the way it's managed, and that's rare."

Bella raised her eyebrow with interest; she hadn't expected such a mature answer from him. She looked at his file, then back at him:

"Have you been observing how our company is managed?"

Lucien chuckled a little and said:

"Honestly? Yes. I've been following the company's news for a while now, and the articles that talk about the management and future vision... and I've always admired the way the director thinks."

Bella felt a light warmth rise to her cheeks, but she kept her expression steady. She tilted her head slightly and said:

"And do you have anything to prove that you can integrate into this environment? Prior experience, for example?"

At that, Lucien opened his file and pulled out a paper, handing it to her as he said:

"These are some volunteer works I participated in during my studies, along with projects I did at university."

Bella took the paper and started reading it carefully, and between the lines on the paper and her shifting eyes, a quiet thought crept in:

"This young man might not be just an ordinary intern..."

Bella finished reading the papers, closed them gently, and smiled lightly, then said:

"Alright, it seems you really do deserve a chance... We'll try you out as an intern for a while, and if you prove yourself, you might get a permanent position."

Lucien smiled happily and said:

"I promise, you won't regret giving me this opportunity."

Bella nodded to him and said in a formal tone:

"Great, you may leave now. Amélie will accompany you to show you the rest of the departments."

Lucien stood up quickly, full of excitement, but as he turned around, he bumped into the small coffee table beside the desk. The table shook and an empty cup fell to the floor, making an annoying noise.

His expression froze, his eyes widened and he said in a flustered panic:

"Oh no! Was that... valuable?!"

Bella couldn't hold it in, and laughed softly while putting her hand over her mouth:

"Relax, that cup's from a discount store. But the way you hit it was legendary."

Amélie entered at that moment, looked at the cup on the floor, then at Lucien's shocked face, and said coldly:

"Oh, we're breaking things before the work even starts? Very good, Lucien."

He quickly replied, embarrassed:

"I promise I only break small things... I swear!"

Bella laughed even more, while Amélie gave him a look that said, "What have we gotten ourselves into?"

Then Bella said as she pointed toward the door:

"Go, Mr. Accident Magnet."

Lucien gave Bella a little bow, still nervous, and hurried out. Amélie also left, while Bella stayed for a moment, looking at the door and whispering to herself:

"This guy... is going to be the cause of a lot of hilarious headaches."

Location: The café where Lucien works – after his university shift ends

Evening settled quietly, and the café was bathed in the warmth of yellow lights, the scent of fragrant coffee blending with the sounds of customers and their soft laughter. Behind the preparation counter, Lucien stood absorbed in making a cup of coffee. He wore a black apron over a white shirt and dark pants, humming a familiar tune to himself in a low voice, singing unconsciously.

The bell above the door rang, announcing the arrival of a new customer. Lucien instinctively looked up to see who it was… It was her.

The same girl who had offered him that mysterious opportunity. She was wearing the same black mask, and her black hat covered her wavy black hair, which she had tied into a simple ponytail. Her golden earrings shimmered faintly, but this time her clothes were completely different.

She looked like she had walked out of an action scene, wearing a black leather jacket, a white tank top, black leather pants, leather gloves, and white boots that covered her ankles. Her appearance drew everyone's attention—customers and staff alike—but she didn't care. She kept her hands in her pants pockets and walked confidently, then sat at the nearest table by the window and directed her gaze outside without looking at anyone.

Lucien smiled to himself. He left the coffee machine behind and headed toward her, not just to take her order, but for another reason... to thank her for giving him a golden opportunity to work at his dream company, and to get to know her better.

Lucien smiled to himself, then left the coffee machine behind and walked toward her—not just to take her order, but for a deeper reason... to thank her for granting him a golden opportunity to work at his dream company, and to get to know her more.

He approached her with quiet steps, trying to appear natural despite his heart beating faster for no clear reason. He stood in front of the table and bent slightly with a gentle smile, saying:

"Hello again... should I call you Miss Masked now?"

Then he chuckled softly and continued, "I know you still refuse to reveal your name, but... thank you. Thank you so much for the opportunity you gave me."

Bella looked at him from behind the mask with a sideways glance, and a small smile appeared on her lips, then she replied in a calm and steady voice:

"I told you before that you deserved it... so don't thank me too much, you still have a lot to prove yourself in."

Lucien laughed shyly, and ran his hand over the back of his head spontaneously, saying:

"True, but I couldn't hold back my feelings… I felt I had to thank you. By the way, if it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't have even gotten excited for that interview."

This time, Bella stared at him with greater focus, as if she were seeing him for the first time, then asked in a curious tone:

"Why? What made you excited?"

He answered, his eyebrows raised in embarrassment:

"I don't know… maybe because you were the first to believe in me without even knowing me. I felt something strange at the time… as if you saw something in me that I couldn't even see in myself."

Bella turned her face toward the window again, trying to hide the hidden feelings that began to stir deep inside her, then she whispered in a voice barely audible:

"Sometimes… we see in others what they can't see in themselves."

A brief moment of silence settled between them, broken only by the sounds of the coffee machine in the back and some light laughter from the customers. After a while, Lucien decided to ease the atmosphere:

"Alright, what can I prepare for you today? A strong coffee? Or a light drink that suits the mood of mystery?"

Bella laughed softly and said:

"Surprise me, dreamy barista."

He laughed in return and said:

"As you wish, Miss Mystery."

Lucien returned to the coffee machine with enthusiasm and began preparing a special drink just for her. He added his magical touch, creating a blend of espresso and caramel with a dash of cinnamon, as if he were crafting a secret recipe known only to him.

While he was focused on the final touches, his friend "Louie" suddenly approached him and whispered in his ear:

"Hey, she's really beautiful… don't miss the chance, say something romantic!"

Lucien was startled and jumped with embarrassment, then said in a voice louder than necessary:

"Not now, Louie!!"

His voice echoed throughout the café, causing some customers to turn toward him in surprise, while Bella watched the scene from a distance, a light smile forming behind her mask.

Lucien tried to recover from the situation, picked up the cup of coffee and approached her nervously, yet the smile never left his face:

"Uhh… sorry for the noise… and here is your secret drink! I made it just for you, and I've named it The Beautiful Mystery Drink."

Bella took the cup, then raised an eyebrow as she looked at him and said:

"The Beautiful Mystery Drink?… Do all customers get special names for their drinks, or am I a special case?"

He replied shyly, fiddling with his apron:

"You're the first special case… but don't tell anyone, or this place might turn into a romantic festival."

Bella laughed softly, turned to the other side to hide her face from Lucien, who respectfully looked away. She moved the mask to reveal her lips, then took a sip from the coffee, and her eyes widened in clear admiration:

"Hmm… actually, the taste is really good. I didn't expect that."

He quickly responded, placing his hand over his heart as if deeply moved:

"Finally… you've admitted it to me!"

Bella struggled to stifle her laughter, returned the mask to place, then looked at him and said:

"Looks like you're getting better… not just at making coffee, but with your unique sense of humor too."

An hour later inside the café

Bella left the café after finishing her drink, and the sky had begun to glow with the calm hues of sunset. She walked confidently toward her luxury motorcycle — the Neiman Marcus Limited Edition Fighter — one of the most expensive motorcycles in the world, with a futuristic design that made it look like a work of art, valued at over eleven million dollars.

Before she could mount the bike, she heard a voice calling her from behind in a cheerful, childlike tone:

"Miss Mask!"

She quickly turned around to find Lucien running toward her, holding a small box in his hands. As soon as he reached her, he stood there catching his breath for a moment, then extended the box to her with a spontaneous smile and said:

"This is for you... donuts from the pastries we make here. I thought you might like them."

She looked at the box for a moment, then took it without protest, whispering to herself:

"Why not? A free gift with no strings attached... nothing wrong with that."

She said calmly:

"Thank you... I wasn't expecting this."

But Lucien didn't leave. Instead, he looked at her curiously and asked innocently:

"By the way… last night, in the staff lounge, you were crying, weren't you? What was the reason?"

She froze for a moment, not wanting to reveal the real reason, then shrugged hesitantly and said:

"Nothing important… I was just looking for a job, and I got rejected from several interviews."

As soon as she finished her sentence, Lucien's face lit up with excitement, as if a bright idea had just struck him. Bella looked at him in surprise and thought to herself:

"Why does he suddenly look so excited?"

He said joyfully:

"The café manager is looking for new employees! Four or five, actually — and you could work with us here! What do you think?"

Surprise appeared on Bella's face. She hadn't expected such an offer, but she thought for a moment, then said to herself:

"No harm in trying something different… could be fun."

She smiled lightly and said:

"I don't mind. I'll give it a try."

Lucien responded with enthusiasm:

"Great! Come tomorrow, and I'll introduce you to the manager. He'll definitely like you."

And just before he turned to leave, he suddenly looked back at her and asked innocently:

"By the way… what's your name?"

She froze again. She didn't want to tell him her real name, so she quickly searched her mind for an alternative. She suddenly remembered the name of one of her company's employees, smiled, and said:

"My name… is Ellen. Ellen Noir."

Lucien nodded with excitement:

"Ellen! Beautiful name… it suits you perfectly."

Then he waved to her as he walked away toward the café, while she stayed standing beside her motorcycle, staring at the box of donuts in her hands… and smiling softly, as if something in her heart had started beating in a different way.

At Bella's Apartment

In the Living Room

At Bella's apartment, the evening was quiet, and the dim lights reflected on the walls in a warm hue. Bella sat on the couch next to her close friend Amelie, each holding a piece of the donut that Lucien had brought.

Bella took a small bite, then sighed and said:

"You know, that boy… Lucien, I think he's not as simple as he seems."

Amelie raised her eyebrow, looking at her questioningly:

"What do you mean?"

Bella smiled and said:

"I'll tell you everything. Today, I went to the café, we met again, talked a little… and—"

Amelie interrupted her, eyes wide in surprise:

"Wait! When did you go out again?! And why didn't you tell me?"

Bella laughed softly:

"I didn't want to bother you, but the big surprise is… I'm going to work at that café."

Amelie gasped and dropped her donut:

"You're going to do what?! Are you serious?! Since when do you make life decisions without consulting me?"

Bella lowered her head a bit, then looked at Amelie with a tender smile:

"I didn't mean to hide anything… You're more than a friend to me, you're my sister. And I need you in this adventure."

Despite feeling let down, Bella's words eased Amelie's anger. Amelie had always been involved in every detail of Bella's life, and if she missed even a small moment, she felt guilty—though she didn't always show it.

After a moment of silence, an idea popped into Bella's head, and she exclaimed excitedly:

"What if you joined me? We could work together at the café! It would be fun."

Amelie, sighing in boredom, replied:

"Nooo, I need rest. And… I can't stand the sound of coffee machines."

But Bella didn't give up. She started begging in a childish voice:

"Pleeaase Amelie… come on, pleaseee."

Amelie replied simply:

"No."

•••

In the kitchen, where Amelie was washing the dishes and Bella stood behind her pleading:

"Amelie… working together would be fun! And I'll buy you coffee every day!"

Amelie, focusing on the dishes, replied:

"No."

•••

In the living room, Amelie was sweeping up the donut crumbs while Bella crawled behind her on the floor like a cat:

"Amelie, sweetheart… I can't work without you."

Amelie replied without looking at her:

"No."

•••

In the bathroom. Amelie was wiping the mirror, humming to herself, when Bella's face suddenly appeared from behind the slightly open door, eyes sparkling:

"Amelieeee…"

Amelie screamed:

"I said no!"

•••

At night, silence filled the apartment. Amelie lay in bed, covering herself, trying to sleep. But, out of nowhere, Bella's head popped up from under the covers beside her, looking at her with innocent eyes and a childish smile:

"Amelie… think about it again?"

Amelie sighed deeply, and with a hoarse voice full of exhaustion said:

"Fine! I agree! Just get out from under the blanket, please!"

Bella jumped up happily and shouted:

"Yaaaaay!! Amelie, you're the best person I've ever known!"

Without thinking, she planted a quick kiss on Amelie's cheek.

Amelie gasped in disgust:

"Aaah! Bellaaa!!"

Then she shoved her off the bed with all her strength, and Bella fell to the floor, laughing loudly, while Amelie buried her head in the pillow, wishing she could finally sleep.

The Next Day

At the Café Where Lucien Works

In the Afternoon

The sun carried its warmth shyly as Lucien headed to the meeting point, unaware that behind the masks and names, a small trick was quietly being woven.

Bella, disguised under the name "Ellen," introduced Lucien to another girl, saying with a confident smile:

"This is Lucy, my close friend… she'll be great at this job!"

Little did Lucien know that "Lucy" was none other than the real Amelie.

Amelie looked both innocent and mysterious at once, wearing a mask just like Bella's, hiding her face as requested. Her short brown hair was styled in two braids gently draping over her shoulders, with red silk ribbons at the ends, and soft strands falling across her forehead.

She wore circular pink earrings and a golden star-shaped necklace over a loose dark gray t-shirt with cryptic words written on it. Her look was completed with matching joggers, blue sneakers, and a small brown backpack. The glasses she wore, though not actually prescription, added a smart touch to her appearance, as if hiding something behind their lenses.

As for Bella, she was entirely different that day.

Though she didn't remove her mask—this time white in color—she didn't hide her powerful presence.

Her wavy black hair was tied back in a simple ponytail, exuding confidence. In her hand, she lightly held her hat.

She wore a dark red turtleneck sweater, layered with a white shirt with the top four buttons undone. Over it all, a dark red leather jacket that matched perfectly with her leather pants, and completed the look with gleaming white sneakers that stood out in sharp contrast to the deep red.

And Lucien... had no idea he was dealing with two of the most mysterious girls in his life: one lying with a smile, the other hiding behind her silence and glasses.

Lucien smiled with his usual gentleness as he extended his hand toward "Lucy" — who was none other than Amelie in her disguised identity — and said:

"Welcome, Lucy! I'm happy to have you join us."

Amelie nodded lightly, a small smile forming on her lips, while Bella — or "Ellen" as she introduced herself — watched the scene with sparkling eyes behind her white mask.

Lucien said as he gestured to them with his hand:

"Come on, follow me..."

The three of them entered the manager's office. The room was simple, with a few old pictures decorating the walls, and the aroma of coffee comfortably filling the space. Behind the desk sat Mr. Harrow, a man in his fifties, his features calm; neither harsh nor overly gentle, but rather a type of serenity born from years of experience.

He looked up at them and said in a low, clear voice:

"Welcome..."

Lucien stepped forward and explained to the manager the reason for his presence with the two girls, pointing out their desire to work at the café and how he believed they were perfectly suited for the role.

Mr. Harrow nodded calmly, then looked at the girls and began to ask them simple questions, in a formal tone free of pressure.

"Have either of you worked in a café before? How do you deal with customers? Can you prepare coffee?"

The answers varied, as Bella responded with a tone carrying a touch of gentle naïveté, while Amelie replied briefly and clearly.

After a few minutes, Mr. Harrow nodded with satisfaction and said:

"Accepted. From now on, you are employees at the café. Listen carefully to the instructions..."

He started explaining some basics to them, then turned to Lucien and said:

"You'll be responsible for them. Take them and give them their uniforms."

Lucien bowed respectfully to the manager, saying with his usual smile:

"Thank you, I'll handle it."

However, that moment did not pass unnoticed... as both Mr. Harrow and Lucien realized that Bella and Amelie did not bow at all.

Bella stood as if she had forgotten that the world moved around her, with an expression of childlike wonder and eyes watching nothing, as though she were following a bird flying through the sky of her imagination.

As for Amelie, she seemed completely unconcerned, standing coldly behind her fake glasses, as if the situation didn't matter to her at all.

Lucien stood quietly behind them... stared at them for a moment, then gently raised his hands and held their heads firmly but softly, saying in a low voice:

"The manager deserves a little bow, don't you think, girls?"

Amelie's head bowed easily, as if she had only been waiting for a gentle push.

But Bella's head...

Was like a rock!

Lucien tried pushing it slightly, then applied a bit more force as he whispered:

"Come on, Ellen, just a little bow..."

But Bella resisted with childish stubbornness, as if her head fundamentally refused to bow.

Lucien pulled a bit more, applied more pressure, until Bella began to whisper from beneath her mask:

"I respect, but my head… just doesn't like to bow."

Mr. Harrow laughed lightly, shaking his head as he said:

"Looks like you've got a tough mission, Lucien."

And finally...

Bella bowed.

A small victory for Lucien, and a gentle defeat for her stubborn head.

On the other side,

the three entered the changing room, which was a bit small, with a side wardrobe containing a collection of official work uniforms. Lucien handed each of Bella and Amelie a neat, matching set:

a crisp white shirt, a black skirt that reached just past the thighs, a simple black apron, and shiny black low-heeled shoes.

Bella and Amelie exchanged glances with slight surprise. They didn't speak, but their facial expressions said everything:

A skirt? And heels? Really?

Lucien smiled slightly and raised his eyebrows as if reading their thoughts.

"Good luck... take your time, I'll be outside."

He slipped out and closed the door behind him, leaving the girls alone.

Outside, he resumed taking orders smoothly, carrying a tray and smiling as usual, but between movements, he kept glancing toward the door, waiting for them to come out. Some staff members were also wondering when the "newcomers" would appear, as the rumors had spread like wildfire.

Suddenly...

the door opened.

The sound caught everyone's attention. Lucien turned immediately, and even some staff and customers... spoons paused mid-air, eyebrows lifted, faces leaned on hands in anticipation.

Bella came out first, with calm and confident steps, rolling her shirt sleeves up to her elbows.

Then Amelie appeared behind her, closing the door without haste, with a calmness like a cool breeze on an autumn morning.

But the surprise?

Neither of them wore the skirt.

Bella wore her white shirt with the top two buttons undone, her collarbone subtly and unintentionally alluring. Her sleeves were pushed up in a beautifully careless way. The black pants she wore were slightly raised at the ankles, her clean white sneakers shining, and the edges of her shirt were neatly tucked into her trousers.

She wore the black apron and still had on her white mask, but she added the final touch: the cap rested atop her head with an elegant tilt, as if saying, "I'm ready for the show."

Amelie was more modest, but no less striking. She wore the same shirt and pants, without rolling the sleeves. Her hair remained braided with the red ribbon, standing firmly, her glasses adding an aura of smart mystery.

And the effect?

Complete silence...

Then suddenly...

an explosion of reactions.

One of the female customers gasped loudly and said:

"Who are they?! Employees?! No, this is a music band!"

Another whispered to her friend:

"Do you see the one in the mask? She looks like a movie star!"

While one of the men nearly dropped his coffee cup as he whispered in awe:

"Did I walk into a café or Paris Fashion Week?"

Muted laughter… scattered whispers… and some phones started to discreetly rise to capture a quick photo…

Even the old waiter in the corner commented with a laugh:

"This is the most exciting thing that's happened here since espresso spilled on our manager."

In the middle of this storm, Bella and Amelie remained completely natural.

Bella looked around with that charming innocence as if she didn't understand the reason for all the astonishment.

And Amelie placed her hand in the apron pocket, simply observing the scene with a cold gaze, perhaps wondering internally: Is everyone here constantly shocked?

Lucien approached them, staring at them for a few seconds before asking in a tone mixed with surprise and laughter:

"Okay… simple question: where are the skirts?"

Bella answered without hesitation, pointing to herself and Amelie:

"We don't feel comfortable in skirts or dresses. Pants are more freeing."

Lucien slowly shook his head, then smiled a surrendering smile and said:

"Luckily, I love surprises."

Then, with theatrical spontaneity, he turned to the customers and said loudly:

"Ladies and gentlemen! I present to you the stars of the day, the new employees: Elin and Lucy!"

After Lucien finished his spontaneous theatrical introduction, some of the audience clapped with genuine enthusiasm, while others merely blinked in stunned disbelief at what they were witnessing.

Lucien cleared his throat lightly, looking at Bella and Amelie, and said in a tone that combined seriousness with excitement:

"Alright, stars... it's showtime! First task: take orders from tables three, five, and seven. No need to worry, it's super easy... just take the order, smile, and come back to me."

Amelie nodded calmly and grabbed the order pad with the confidence of an experienced employee in the field.

As for Bella, she looked at the paper, then at the customers, and whispered to herself in a low voice:

"So... I just write what they want? That's easy!"

The two headed toward the designated tables. Amelie went straight to table number 3, her steps steady and her gaze focused.

Bella headed to table number 5.

That table was packed with four teenage girls, the type enchanted by anything strange and beautiful.

And as soon as Bella approached, with her white mask and the sparkle in her eyes above it, the questions rained down like a flood:

"Wow! Is your hair real?!"

"Where did you get the mask?!"

"Are you famous?!"

"Are you really an employee, or is this some kind of show?!"

Some nearby table guests turned their heads to watch what was happening.

But Bella, as usual, didn't get flustered. She raised her order pad, stood proudly like a ship captain in the middle of the ocean, and answered with sweet innocence:

"My hair? Yes, it's real... it grew on my head!"

Then she gently touched the mask and added:

"And the mask… I bought it from some store... I forgot its name, but it had a door."

A stifled laugh burst from one of the girls, while another began recording something on her phone.

Bella continued speaking, leaning slightly toward the table and whispering playfully:

"I'm not acting… I'm living."

And while recording the orders in her own chaotic way, she wrote phrases like "a drink that's pink-colored" instead of the actual name, and "something with lots of cream" instead of iced coffee.

Meanwhile, Amelie had finished the order for table 3 efficiently and headed directly to table 7.

She passed by Bella and whispered as she walked:

"Do you know the difference between cappuccino and latte?"

Bella answered with blind confidence:

"Of course! Cappuccino… has a longer name."

Amelie sighed without replying and continued on her way.

And while Bella was trying to figure out the mystery of the pen button, Lucien returned, clapping lightly and saying:

"Oh, looks like things are going… in their own special way."

He glanced at Bella's notepad and read aloud:

"A drink with pink bubbles?"

Then he raised an eyebrow in confusion:

"Is this an order? Or a poem?"

Bella replied with confidence as she lifted her notebook:

"I like to add my touch... customers love mystery!"

Lucien laughed, then turned to Amelie and asked:

"And you? How did it go?"

She answered calmly without lifting her eyes:

"Complete order. Accurate. No weird additions."

Lucien nodded and said:

"Excellent. Elin?... Come, you'll be working in the beverage prep section this time."

Then he looked again at her notepad and said in a puzzled tone:

"But just... what is a drink that looks like blooming clouds?"

Bella answered him with dreamy dramatic flair:

"If we make it from the heart... we'll know."

She was led to the prep corner as if entering a secret lab only the chosen could access. She stood in front of the coffee machine, looking at it like a poet gazes at a strange musical instrument, then turned to Lucien and said with charming seriousness:

"Does… this machine make music?"

Lucien chuckled lightly, then handed her an empty cup and said:

"Almost. But instead of melodies… it releases caffeine."

He stood behind her, guiding her, and pointed to the buttons: "Press here for espresso, here for steamed milk, and if you want cream… here."

Bella nodded excitedly and started trying.

The first press… strong steam burst out, making her yelp softly: "Ah! It breathed!"

Then she stepped back as if she had fought a fiery battle.

"Don't be afraid, that's normal," said Lucien, laughing.

But Bella leaned toward the machine and whispered:

"Calm down, I'm like you… Sometimes I make weird sounds when I'm angry."

In the other corner, Amelie was watching the scene from afar, hands on her hips, her face half annoyed, half entertained.

"Is this a professional way to make coffee?" she muttered.

Then came the moment Bella mixed the ingredients. She poured the espresso, then the milk, then… the cream.

The cream didn't stop.

She pressed the cream button… and didn't release it. The cup filled, then overflowed, then became a small creamy lake on the table.

Bella suddenly screamed: "Ah! White magic pouring out endlessly!"

Lucien rushed in and pulled the button, laughing: "Eline! The button doesn't like long hugs!"

But the most iconic moment came when Bella tried to sprinkle cocoa on top of the coffee using a small sieve.

She shook the sieve too hard… and the whole thing fell into the cup.

Bella lifted the cup and looked inside, then said in a philosophical tone:

"The cocoa has chosen to become part of the dream… not just a decoration."

Then she turned to Lucien and said seriously:

"Should I write this down in the recipe?"

Meanwhile, Amelie had finished three drinks with precision and elegance at the same time, presenting them on the tray as if she were walking on a fashion show runway.

Bella looked at her with childlike admiration:

"Look at you… Lady of Pure Coffee."

Amelie responded without expression:

"And you… the ghost of random flavors."

Lucien laughed and said as he watched the chaos adorned with smiles:

"I think the customers will either get the most delicious drink they've ever tasted… or the most mysterious one."

Then he took Bella's strange cup and read what was written on the note beside it:

"A drink that resembles blooming clouds…"

He whispered as he tasted a small sip:

"Tastes like… a rainbow that lost its memory."

Bella commented proudly:

"Sometimes, forgetting creates a new flavor."

Amelie began presenting her tray first, and with precision and care, placed the drinks in front of table number 3.

She said in a calm, steady voice:

"Latte with no sugar, light cappuccino, and iced green tea."

The customers nodded in admiration, and one of them murmured:

"Wow… Is she new? She feels older than the café itself!"

Another replied while tasting the coffee thoughtfully:

"Excellent taste… this kind of flavor should be taught."

And in the other corner of the café… Bella arrived.

She was holding the tray in one hand, while gripping the order pad in the other, as if she had just walked out of a dramatic interrogation scene.

She stood in front of table number 5, placed the first cup and said in a dramatic tone:

"This… is the drink that resembles blooming clouds."

Then placed the second cup saying:

"And here it is… the pink drink whose identity is yet to be defined."

As for the third, she said as she gently placed it:

"A request containing a lot of cream… more than the law allows."

One of the girls grabbed the pink cup, stared at it for a moment, then whispered in awe:

"It's… beautiful. Like a drink from a magical anime world."

She tasted it…

For a moment, silence fell.

Then she burst out laughing:

"It tastes like a marshmallow sleeping on a pillow of berries!"

Her friend, tasting the second drink, said:

"This taste… I can't describe it, but it made me feel like I went back to my childhood… and I don't know why."

As for the third, when she tasted it, she commented with surprise:

"I think I just ate a whole spoon of cream… but it tastes like rain!"

Bella, meanwhile, was smiling from behind her white mask, watching the reactions like someone admiring a piece of art.

She placed her hand on her chest and said emotionally:

"I don't make coffee… I tell stories."

Suddenly, a customer from a nearby table stood up and said enthusiastically:

"I want a similar drink! Give me one of those (mysterious pink rain drinks)!"

Bella immediately replied:

"I'll prepare one for you… just don't ask me about the ingredients, because I already forgot them."

As laughter filled the place, Amelie approached Lucien and whispered seriously:

"Should I be worried?"

Lucien replied while wiping tears of laughter from his eyes:

"As long as the customers are laughing and asking for more… I consider that a success."

Then he added in a quiet voice:

"But we need to come up with real names for these drinks, or people will start ordering (the drink that made me laugh and cry at the same time)."

Amelie chuckled lightly and said:

"Honestly? That's an excellent name."

And in the back corner of the café, Bella was whispering to herself as she filled a new cup:

"Rainbow… cream… a dash of dreams…"

Then she paused for a moment, looked at the coffee machine, and whispered passionately:

"Come on, my companion… let's create new magic."

After hours of work

In a corner of the café, behind a small wooden door labeled "Staff Only," lies the break room. It was simple, with a small couch, a modest table, and some shelves lined with scattered mugs and simple but tasty snacks.

Bella entered first, took off her hat without removing the mask, and leaned her back against the wall with a relieved sigh.

Amelie followed her, sat on the couch, and began unbuttoning her top shirt slightly to breathe.

As for Lucien… he entered after them with quiet steps, carrying two cups of tea.

"Break of champions!" he said as he offered the cups, then sat on the floor, leaning against the wall, as if he needed that break more than anyone.

Bella walked toward them and sat beside Lucien.

A short silence filled the room… until Bella broke the calm, watching the steam rise from her cup:

"I never thought… selling coffee would make me sweat more than chasing a mysterious businessman."

Amelie chuckled lightly, while Lucien raised an eyebrow with curiosity:

"What? A businessman?"

Bella immediately realized her slip of the tongue.

She tensed for a moment, then quickly said, trying to dodge it:

"Oh… I mean… in games! Yeah! I was playing a game with a businessman running away and I was chasing him. A very fun adventure!"

Lucien gave her a slightly suspicious look… then smiled and said in a calm tone:

"Ah, I see… the kind of game that requires a fancy mask like yours?"

Bella's eyes widened slightly, then she let out a nervous laugh and replied:

"Of course, the mask… is part of the official outfit!"

Another short silence… but this time, there was a light sense of awkwardness in the air.

Lucien looked at her, then spoke in a voice close to a whisper, with an oddly sincere tone:

"Ellen… you know, don't you? That you… are different."

She lifted her eyes toward him, and her expression showed a mix of worry and surprise.

He added, pointing outward, toward the café:

"What you do out there… no one else does. Not just because you make them laugh… but because you touch something in them. You make them feel like children again."

Bella didn't respond right away, she just looked at her cup, then quietly said:

"Maybe… because I myself never stopped being a child."

Lucien gave a small smile, then joked:

"If you're a child… then I'm probably a professional babysitter."

Bella quickly replied, raising her eyebrow:

"Oh really? And does this babysitter… save staff from spilling extra milk?"

Lucien laughed and said, looking at her with a half-smile:

"I… just try to be helpful… even a little."

Then came another silence, but this one wasn't uncomfortable.

Until Amelie suddenly stood up and said:

"I'm going to check on the orders… before some customer invents a new name for one of Eline's drinks."

She left, leaving behind a small cloud of tension… and open possibilities.

Bella and Lucien remained alone in the room.

They looked at each other… then quickly drank from the same cup at the same time, and laughed loudly together.

Lucien then said:

"Seems like we share more than just a break, huh?"

Bella replied lightly: "Maybe… and maybe you don't know half the story yet."

Then she put the hat back on her head and headed toward the door.

Lucien said as he watched her walk away:

"Ellen…"

She turned slightly.

He smiled and said:

"Don't forget to prepare me a drink of the (Unfinished Dream) type."

She replied as she opened the door:

"That drink?... is only served to those who dare to taste the truth."

And she left, leaving Lucien to contemplate the space… and the words.

After Bella and Amelie's shift

At sunset

It was time to wrap up the workday. Customers began leaving the café one by one, and the staff started tidying up the place, taking off their uniforms and getting ready to go.

All the waiters began leaving the café as a group, heading home after a long day.

Bella and Amelie stepped out of the café and started walking. As they moved away from the café on their way to Bella's apartment, the atmosphere was quiet and the night air refreshing. But before they got too far, they heard—

"Ellen, Lucy."

They both turned to look behind them. Lucien was calling out to them, standing a little distance away. He then said clearly, raising his hand in a childish way:

"It was an honor working with you both!" he said with a soft smile, perhaps trying to add a touch of innocence to the moment, as he always did.

Bella couldn't hold herself back—she burst out laughing loudly, which made Amelie smile as well, though more quietly. There was something in Lucien's words, a kind of innocence that couldn't be resisted. A look of contentment appeared on Amelie's face, as she felt everything was unfolding in an unconventional, yet entertaining way.

At that moment, Louie, Lucien's friend, appeared, calling out to him urgently. "Lucien! Come quick! We have to go home now!"

Lucien understood immediately. Without hesitation, he began running toward his friend Louie, but mid-run, he suddenly stopped, raised his hand once more in a brief farewell.

Bella and Amelie looked at each other, then at Lucien, and smiled at the same time. In that moment, everything felt simple—yet full of meaning.

Lucien then continued running until he reached his friend Louie, who was waiting for him. As soon as he reached him, Lucien threw his arm excitedly around Louie's neck, and the two of them started walking together, heading away from the café.

On the other side

On the other side of the street, in that dark alley wrapped in shadow like a black cloak, stood a tall man with a strong build, yet you could sense a hidden energy within him that was not to be underestimated.

He wore dark biker clothes—a black leather jacket clinging to his frame, a simple black T-shirt, leather pants that glistened slightly under the streetlights, ankle-high leather boots, and black gloves that concealed his fingers.

And his face? Completely hidden behind a reflective black motorcycle helmet, revealing nothing of his features… no eyes, not even a hint of a smile.

In his hand, there was a camera. Small, modern, but its soft sound was capturing moment after moment.

He was aiming the lens at Bella… tracking every step, every movement, every glance.

As if he were studying her.

From Bella's side, as she walked alongside Amelie on the sidewalk, she suddenly felt something heavy and invisible staring at her back.

She stopped abruptly, no longer moving.

She looked around slowly, her eyes scanning the corners of the street… something in the air felt strange.

Amelie, who was walking calmly, didn't notice her friend had stopped and continued walking forward while still talking.

Bella, now alert, turned toward the other side of the street—toward that alley… and there, among the shadows, she saw something.

A person… or rather, a tall figure standing motionless.

At first, she couldn't comprehend what she was looking at… a black helmet? A camera? Or was her imagination playing tricks on her?

:"What is that."

Her thoughts were interrupted by Amelie's annoyed tone: "Bella! What's wrong with you? Why did you stop like that?"

Bella quickly turned to Amelie, finding her looking back with narrowed eyes, her expression irritated as always whenever Bella drifted off into her own world.

Bella looked back toward the alley… but the figure had vanished.

No one was there.

As if whoever had been watching her had melted into the night.

She ran quickly toward Amelie, and when she reached her, she received a light smack on the head from Amelie, who muttered: "If you suddenly stop like that again, I'm leaving you there!"

Bella laughed while rubbing her head apologetically:

"Sorry! I just felt like someone was watching me…"

Amelie didn't reply, only let out an annoyed huff, and they continued walking together.

Behind them, in the alley… there was no one.

But the camera still held the images.

And a faint sound came from the radio hidden beneath the leather jacket:

"Target spotted. She left the café. Continuing surveillance…"

Then the sound disappeared.

And so did the man.

As if he had never been there.

To be continued…

What do you think of this episode, Guy's?